Sunday, February 07, 2010

Whoa Dog! - On A Dog Walk

I was working a young puppy the other day. The dog was barely a year old but was striving to please. He was also over one hundred fifty pounds already and not yet fully grown.

Of course early training is an absolute necessity. I was walking only a mile with him to start, but it's important to build the distance you walk your dog with time.

He was pretty well in the groove of following and not pulling a human... that is, until a dog who was dragging her owner full speed behind her charged us!

I put him into a sit behind me and faced the approaching dog. Seeing that I was not intimidated, the dog went around us and continued to drag her owner. The woman said. "You should keep walking."

I did not respond since it was not I who was being dragged like a helpless sack of flour!

So what should you do out walking your dog when confronted with an unruly dog? Tell your dog what to do and then face the approaching dog like a soldier in the military. You are not looking for trouble, but you do own your space.

I bought the original course a couple of years ago and found it invaluable. This one is even better!

If nothing else, though, don't miss the free pet health care videos on Dr. Jones' blog, as they probably won't be up long after the campaign - and if possible, attend the teleseminar. At least register for a chance to win!

To your dog's health,

Rena

Rena MurrayDogWhisperWoman

P.S. You really do have a chance to WIN, and it's far better than the 1-in-14 million odds of winning a lottery... .Dr Jones is giving away 3 Pet Health Courses. So start by Signing Up Here!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Take action

If you have a dog behavior problem of any kind with your animal, ask a professinal for help right away. Unattended problems only get worse and worse. Some like excessive barking and dog aggression often lead to authorities getting involved. I encourage all to take action as responsible pet owners

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Something personal today

Monday, May 25, 2009

Service Dogs

One of my dearest friends is down visiting me for a week. We have been close for about ten years now. I was also pleased to see her guide dog again as well. Once, when I was out with them, I started to fall off a very steep step and Copper pushed me forward so that I was able to stand back up.

I love to observe any kind of service animal at work. However, I am careful to never distract or talk to the dog. The dog may become excited and pull on his handler in order to meet me. I speak to the handler and not the dog. I never ask what their disability is, but I do ask if they would be willing to share with me what their dog does for them, and if I could help them with something.

Please do not distract assistance dogs in any way. You may accidently cause harm to an innocent person.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

More than a week of rain

Yes, that seems to be all we have here in Florida right now. But it has not changed the work routine for my dog, or any that I work with. The lighting will stop me, but without that, I just change my wet clothes and keep going.

In the time of the pony express, the men said the pony ran in all weather. Dogs will work in rain too. Especially sheep dogs. Sheep are not smart at all, they tend to head for the low dry ground if separated from the flock. Flash floods would kill them without the ever faithful dog.

By no means am I saying to risk your health. I am simply reminding all to remember the importance of keeping your dog active. Treadmills are a great option for rainy days.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Did you see my Paw Persuasion Pointers newsletters with this incredible pet health information from Dr. Andrew Jones?

These links will probably only work for a short time, as I expect this extensive FREE pet health information to be taken offline shortly (after his new course launches). So I wanted to make you you hadn't missed it. It's too vital to your dog's health!

So if you want to see any of the Fr*ee Pet Health Videos and Special Reports from Dr. Jones, you can find them here:

Monday, March 09, 2009

What do I ask clients every time I get a new one?

The whole form is on my consult page. But, there is something I ask them after I finish helping them. I make sure they know what to do if a dog charges them on their walk. This prevents more dog bites than I will ever know. Even if you don't like dogs chances are you will come in contact with many in your life. Regardless of age or occupation dogs are here to stay and we all need to cope with them

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Dog Separation Anxiety May Be Your Worst Nightmare

Today, I spoke with a woman in Alaska who had reached the end of her rope with her dog. He had such severe separation anxiety that he had eaten through the door, wall, and the couch. He had cost her two thousand dollars in damages since she got him two years before!

Her dog started fights with the biggest male he could find in a dog park, and had an endless amount of energy. But when she would leave, he would go under her bed and shake with severe anxiety.

I talked with her about how to lead him on walks. I recommended that she ski with him forty minutes twice a day. Plus I addressed controlling his food, and changing his diet. Not to mention a special massage that helps a dog relax.

One of the wisest things the owner did (although she didn't know it at the time)was that she purchased a young female puppy that was of a much lower energy than her male dog. Opposite sex dogs coexist best, and also, the lower level energy is very important. It helps the dog bond with another, find security, and come out of their shell.

Dogs are pack animals. They need each other...just as we humans need each other for companionship and development.

For those of you who have dogs with separation anxiety, be cautious in picking a second dog. A dog who is too excited, dominant, aggressive, or fearful is going to turn your chaos into a tornado!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

What counts to the dogs

A close friend of mine has been training horses most of her life. She retrains the racer rejects into champion hunter jumpers. She spoke at length with me about the diligence and patience it took to teach these animals that there was indeed more to life than running. I of course, shared parallels with stories of red zone dogs who respected neither man nor beast. Although there is a minimum fifteen hundred pound difference, the facts remain similar in many ways. You cannot force respect from an animal. You have to earn it. You have to own your space. Dogs don't care about positions, degrees, and education.

About Me

Name: Rena Murray

Location: Citrus County, Florida, United States

"DogWhisperWoman," I am a no-nonsense Dog Obedience Trainer & Dog Behaviorist and who dispels myths and boldly tell Animal Lovers the truth about their favorite dogs. Combining "horse whisper" knowledge from family race horses with ardent wolf pack and dog study and experience, I blend my "Dog Whisper Technique" with the best of other methods to match the unique needs of each specific dog and problem. Let me help you with yours!